New DOE Deputy Secretary Enters Role After Senate Blessing

Dan Brouillette, a former executive at Ford and USAA, has been sworn in as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) after the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment last week.

Unlike Rick Perry’s appointment as DOE secretary – which was met with much opposition from renewable energy groups – Brouillette is “one of a few fairly non-controversial energy or environment nominees to come before the Senate” during President Donald Trump’s reign, according to an article from The Hill.

According to the DOE, Brouillette has three decades of experience in both the public and private sector. Most recently, he was the senior vice president and head of public policy for USAA, a provider of financial services for military families. Before joining USAA, he was a vice president at Ford Motor Co., where he led the automaker’s domestic policy teams and served on its North American operating committee.

Before his transition into the private sector, Brouillette held numerous positions in government, the DOE says. He was chief of staff to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce, and he also served as the DOE’s assistant secretary of energy for congressional and intergovernmental affairs from 2001 to 2003 (under the Bush administration). In addition, he is a former state energy regulator, having served as a member of the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board from 2013 to 2016, and is a U.S. Army veteran.

“Dan Brouillette’s extensive experience and knowledge from working in both the public and private sectors make him a great fit for DOE,” states Perry. “I want to thank the Senate for confirming his nomination. I look forward to welcoming Dan back to the agency and utilizing his private-sector management expertise as we work together to carry out the missions of the Department of Energy. ”

“It is a great honor to have been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve our country as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy,” says Brouillette. “I look forward to working with Secretary Perry and the talented workforce at the department in continuing their commitment to crucial science, research, national security and environmental management. It is a privilege to be a part of advancing America’s leadership in scientific research and development, energy technology, and nuclear security.”

A press release from U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, points out that Brouillette was confirmed through a “strong bipartisan vote” of 79-17.

“Mr. Brouillette is well-qualified to be deputy secretary of energy and will be a good second-in-command to oversee programs critical to cybersecurity, energy innovation and scientific discovery,” the senator says. “His long history of distinguished service to our nation and significant management experience will enable him to be a great leader for the department.”